Review: Gunstar Heroes (Virtual Console)
Genesis, 1993; VC release 11 December 2006; 800 Points.
What is it?
Gunstar Heroes was the first game developed by the mini powerhouse Treasure who went on to develop some of the most exciting and straight-out fun, frantic space shooters ever made. It’s similar in concept to Contra or Metal Slug, in that you move through the stage and shoot everything that moves, picking up power-ups and ending stages with huge bosses.
How does it play?
Gunstar Heroes is a pretty straightforward game. For the most part you run and you shoot. You can pick up a small variety of weapons and you can switch weapons from a pool of three on the fly, adapting to the situation. Unfortunately, some of the weapons are really not work using (I’m looking at you, laser) and if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself leaning almost entirely on one weapon because you’re too busy shooting to think about changing.
How does it look and sound?
Treasure really ran the Genesis hot. While it’s not a generation-leaping game, it has a tightness and polish to the audiovisual experience that most Genesis games simply did not have. It makes brilliant use of a limited palette with some very stylish and expressive graphics, and at some points it’s amazing that the Genesis could keep up. The best work in the game is on the huge, complex and detailed bosses, something Treasure has always excelled at.
How is the replay value?
Pretty solid. You can play the stages in any order you like, much like a Mega Man game, changing things up a bit so you don’t feel bored if you get stuck on a stage. That said, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot else working for the replay value unless this is your genre. And if it is, you’re in for a party, because this game stands up well to repeated plays, it’s just that crazy.
Is it worth it?
Yes, as I said, if this is your genre. If you can play Contra over and over again without being bored, then you’ll love this game, provided you can stand up to the considerable challenge. You will die many times on your way through the game, and you’re going to have to be able to enjoy that. For me, there’s no question. I bought the game on hearsay and it’s everything I’ve wanted it to be.
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